Semantic memory: A context sensitive system

Flores, Andrew Z

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129473 Copy

Description

Title

Semantic memory: A context sensitive system

Author(s)

Flores, Andrew Z

Issue Date

2025-05-01

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Willits, Jon

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Willits, Jon

Committee Member(s)

• Federmier, Kara
• Fisher, Cynthia
• Montag, Jessica
• Hotaling, Jared

Department of Study

Psychology

Discipline

Psychology

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• Semantic Memory
• Distributional Modeling

Abstract

Semantic memory, the enduring store of knowledge about the world and language, underpins numerous cognitive functions. A deep understanding of its structure and functioning necessitates a thorough examination of the representations within this system. In this thesis, we discuss topics related to representations in semantic memory, including evaluating theoretical assumptions of the units of analysis that drive knowledge acquisition, the role of semantic relatedness in semantic memory retrieval, and the integrative nature of task-dependent semantic memory representations. Across a range of computational modeling and behavioral experiments, this investigation yielded various insights into the nature of semantic memory representations. Central to this work is advancing the proposition that representations in semantic memory may be best described by distributional models of meaning.

Graduation Semester

2025-05

Type of Resource

Thesis

Handle URL

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129473

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2025 Andrew Flores

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